Dear LBNL Colleagues,
Last week a large eucalyptus tree fell on a car near the UC Berkeley campus, killing the driver. Other trees in the area have fallen or may have become unstable due to the rain and wind. The Lab property is being monitored by the Facilities Division since these weather conditions are expected to continue for the next few weeks.
During prolonged rain, the greatest hazards at the Lab comes from landslides, fallen trees and power lines, power outages, and minor flooding. The Lab has a professional arborist, who assesses trees throughout the year for hazard mitigation, including branch and tree removal. The Lab also has a Storm Response Team made up of specialists from Facilities, Emergency Management, Security, and EHS. The team has developed a contingency and mitigation plan for potential storm impacts at the Lab. This team also monitors the weather and provides updates as needed.
If you see a potential hazard, are concerned about the stability of a tree or power line, or have water intrusion into your building, please notify the Security Operations Center at (510) 486-6999. The Security Operations Center will contact the appropriate response personnel.
For a life-threatening emergency, immediately dial 911. Be prepared to provide the dispatcher with a precise location or address of where the incident is occurring.
Please be careful as you drive during these wet conditions. Be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists who may be more difficult to see in low-light conditions. Stay safe; we are concerned for your safety.
Michael Brandt
Deputy Director, Operations